Our Programs
Blueprint Communities Program and Wilmington Area Neighborhood Development Initiative--The Blueprint Communities Delaware program was carried out through a partnership between the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. Its purpose was to provide intensive training, technical assistance, coaching as well as initial seed funding to competitively selected neighborhoods throughout the state to help them formulate plans to revitalize their communities. Nine communities were selected: four are located inside the municipal limits of Wilmington, four are in close proximity to the city of Wilmington, and one neighborhood is located within the city of Dover. Over the course of 12 months the planning team for each of these communities utilized the training, technical assistance and data they received from the program to formulate plans and programs to transform their neighborhoods. In addition to the training and other support given to the planning teams, the program also awarded over $100,000 in competitive grants to the participating teams to help them complete and begin implementing their revitalization strategies. Funding for the Blueprint Communities Delaware program and the grants it awarded came from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the University of Delaware, the Delaware Community Investment Corporation and the Delaware Community Foundation. Starting this spring, CCRS will have the opportunity to increase its revitalization work with the original Blueprint Communities teams through the Wilmington Area Neighborhood Development initiative (WAND). Teams will have the opportunity for further training, technical assistance, and support. The next phase of WAND (beginning in 2011) will expand the initiative to allow for new neighborhood revitalization efforts to begin through the recruitment and training of new teams. The WAND initiative is made possible by the support of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Learn more about our community revitalization initiatives.
KIDS COUNT in Delaware seeks to initiate and influence broad change that makes a positive difference for all children and families in Delaware, rather than assisting children individually through direct services. We do this by compiling, analyzing and sharing accurate, up-to-date statistics and research on child well-being indicators with people and policymakers statewide. Devoted to improving the well-being of Delaware’s children and families, KIDS COUNT in Delaware uses highly credible research, data collection and education to initiate change on behalf of children. Our work positively influences the knowledge, attitudes and ultimately the actions of a broad cross-section of people across the state to address issues that affect our children. KIDS COUNT in Delaware is one of fifty-three similar projects throughout the US and its territories funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the State of Delaware and private and corporate donations. Go to the KIDS COUNT page.
Local TV News Media Project--Local television news remains the most prominent news source for citizens regarding their communities. With that in mind, the Local TV News Media Project at the University of Delaware has been examining local TV news broadcasts since 1990. As part of the College of Education and Public Policy, the project is concerned with local television news content and its impact on the public's perception of their world. Are we more consumers rather than citizens? How does that affect, if at all, civic engagement? Public discourse? Public policy? While the project at the University of Delaware has focused on crime and criminal justice reporting, there are many people who are interested in examining local television news from a variety of perspectives. One problem with accomplishing any examination has been the availability of a sufficient number of stories that are easily accessible for study. To help remedy that situation, we have developed a searchable database of over 10,600 individually digitized local television news stories from across the U.S. Each story is viewable in its entirety. The database is offered here as a public service and provides researchers, the public, the media and others access to all types of stories on local television broadcasts. Go to the database.
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and is committed to supporting the national, state, and local partners in response to this complex, pervasive, and all too often overshadowed problem. A program of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), the NCEA is a resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, families, and elders. In 2007, the Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly at the University of Delaware (CANE) was awarded funding to become the co-manager of the NCEA, which is housed in the Center for Community Research and Service. In addition to co-managing the daily operations of the NCEA and providing technical assistance to a broad range of professionals involved in elder abuse prevention and response, CANE is also responsible for fostering national public awareness initiatives. (The National Adult Protective Services Association and the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse are the other grantees that comprise the NCEA.) Go to NCEA page
Nonprofit Capacity Building--CCRS is dedicated to supporting the health and development of nonprofit agencies who serve the needs of our communities. We provide a information and referral services, a resource library, professional development programs, and technical assistance to nonprofit professionals and organizations in Delaware and the region, thereby helping nonprofit organizations increase their capacity to improve the quality of life for all members of their communitites. Visit the Resources section of our webpage for more information on specific programs. Learn more about our nonprofit capacity building initiatives.
Public Allies Delaware offers the nationally-recognized Public Allies AmeriCorps program, providing a pathway for select talented and diverse young leaders to emerge in communities across the state of Delaware. Since 1994, Public Allies Delaware has developed over 250 young leaders, who have completed over 475,000 hours of volunteer service to Delaware. For 10 months Allies are placed in paid professional apprenticeships at local nonprofits where they create, improve, and expand services that address varying issues. Currently there are Allies placed at nonprofits such as Elizabeth House Family Life Center, Wilmington HOPE Commission, Brandywine Zoo, and Westside Family Healthcare. Go to Public Allies page
